IAAR-SLATE holds first research symposium for undergraduates

The event hosted ten undergraduate students who have conducted research on race, racism and racial equity. “I hope it opens up new questions that audience members might ask, new resources that they have to answer those questions," Faculty Director for Research for IAAR-SLATE Reneé Alexander Craft said. "I'm hoping that it deepens and enriches the dialogue that we have about race, racism and racial equity on UNC campus and beyond.”

UNC Vice Chancellor of Communications Joel Curran to join Notre Dame University

Vice Chancellor of Communications Joel Curran will be leaving UNC for a position as vice president of public affairs and communications at the University of Notre Dame, according to a University email sent Tuesday.

UNC Musical Empowerment continues free music lessons for children, even online

Musical Empowerment's UNC chapter breaks down financial barriers to music lessons and instrument access for K-12 students, and continued provided lessons — online — during the pandemic. Involved students value the opportunity to share their love for music and be mentors. “I really like being able to use what I've learned about guitar and teach younger people to have an interest in music,” mentor Isabel Morris said. 

Faculty Executive Committee talks vaccination rates, racial equity and provost search

Committee members discussed the Roadmap for Racial Equity, COVID-19 policies, vaccination rates and the ongoing provost search at their Sept. 13 meeting.

Looking back at 30 years of the Asian American Students Association

Amid the challenges of a virtual school year and COVID-19 last year, one of UNC’s first Asian-interest organizations — now called the Asian American Students Association (AASA) — remained strong. “The idea of having an Asian American community – it was something that I hadn’t grown up with before,” AASA president Katrina Jagadeesan said. “After meeting a couple of the members and getting to know them and participating, that was something I was missing in my life.”

'Something to be celebrated': First-Generation Student Association creates community and support

The First-Generation Student Association at UNC aims to create a community that celebrates the difficulties and successes associated with being a first-generation student.  To help first-generation students transition to college life, FGSA hosts a variety of social and professional development events.  On Sept. 15, FGSA will be hosting an event called “Advocating for Yourself as a First-Gen,” where they will discuss email etiquette, how to be heard outside of the classroom and how to ask for recommendation letters.

The Meantime Coffee Co. celebrates five years

The Meantime Coffee Co. was opened in 2016 by three UNC students. Now, it looks forward to continuing to serve coffee on campus to in-person students.

Race, Racism and Racial Equity Symposium hosts fourth seminar for UNC community

The symposium focused on systemic racism and environmental, health and transpirational inequalities in the local Chapel Hill community and broader United States.  “Come in with the assumption that the way we built this system will marginalize community members, whether it’s by race, income, ethnicity, gender identity — it's there,” one of the panelists said. 

Campus Health to close on Sundays — including for COVID-19 tests

Starting Sept. 12, UNC Campus Health will no longer be operating on Sundays, the University announced in a campus email Thursday. 

New dean of School of Social Work hopes to increase innovation and diversity

Ramona Denby-Brinson is the first Black woman to serve as dean of the UNC School of Social Work. She came to UNC from a position as a professor and associate dean for academic affairs at the Ohio State University College of Social Work. Denby-Brinson said she sees this opportunity as a way to use the UNC's strengths to tackle current social problems, specifically COVID-19, racism, social injustice and inequalities.

UNC Young Democrats Club hosts senatorial candidate Cheri Beasley for student Q&A

“It is wonderful to be here and to hear from young people and hear what their concerns and desires are,” Beasely said following the event. "These students truly understand the power of being engaged and truly understand the impact of their vote.”

'We had basically no power': Campus Safety Commission chooses to dissolve

In an Aug. 9 letter to Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz, six members of the UNC’s Campus Safety Commission announced the group's dissolution, citing disagreements between administration and commission members, who felt their recommendations regarding COVID-19 and campus police were ignored. 

UNC student organization works to address textbook affordability

UNC's chapter of The North Carolina Public Interest Research Groups is working on tools that allow professors to be more transparent with students regarding the cost of textbooks.

UNC's SPARK program helps support, connect women-identifying students of color

A program designed for women-identifying students of color, SPARK will host its fifth annual retreat from Oct. 8 to 10 for first-year and transfer students. 

To Drink from the Well: UNC alumna writes book on University history and systemic racism

Written by civil rights lawyer and UNC alumna Geeta N. Kapur, "To Drink from the Well: The Struggle for Racial Equality at the Nation’s Oldest Public University" is scheduled to release for Sept. 21. The book is a product of 11 years of research and is the first to provide a comprehensive look at the University's history of systemic racism from 1776.  Kapur discussed the book at an event at Flyleaf Books on Sept. 2. 

Faculty Council talks vaccination data and faculty awards at Friday meeting

The UNC Faculty Council met Friday Sept. 3 to discuss current campus vaccination rates and present the Thomas Jefferson Award as well as the Phillip and Ruth Hettleman Prizes for Artistic and Scholarly Achievement to chosen faculty members.

Campus President's Council discusses UNC COVID-19 policies in emergency meeting

The Campus President's Council held an emergency meeting Friday. The agenda included discussion of a statement released by UNC Student Government executive board officers titled, "Enough is Enough," in response to the University's COVID-19 policies.

UNC student founds Carolina Outing Club to engage the community outdoors

Junior Charles Blanton founded Carolina Outing Club, an organization that teaches students to love the outdoors. Activities include skiing, kayaking, backpacking, trail-running and even fly-fishing. 

Ahead of retirement, Nursing Dean Nena Peragallo Montano reflects on her career

Nena Peragallo Montano has served as the dean of the UNC School of Nursing since 2017. Now, as she approaches retirement, Peragallo Montano reflects on her legacy and the impact she has made in nursing education.

UNC's COVID-19 clusters so far